In addition, the district will formalize the closing of GATES High School in Lutz. The charter school, which represented an expansion of the successful Learning Gate K-8 charter, had 72 students, according to the Florida Department of Education.

In a letter to parents earlier this month, Chairman John Leaver said there were too many obstacles stemming from problems obtaining land for expansion.The school had hoped to build on 62 acres north of Sunset Lane and east of U.S. 41. But residents fought the move, saying school traffic would cause traffic bottlenecks and that the project was in violation of the Lutz Community Plan.

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How are state tests being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.